Axillary reverse lymphatic mapping reduces patient perceived incidence of lymphedema after axillary dissection in breast cancer

Abstract

Background: Lymphedema is a feared complication of many patients following axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer. Axillary reverse lymphatic mapping (ARM) was adopted to decrease the incidence of lymphedema.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 139 patients with breast cancer who had greater than 10 lymph nodes removed. A survey was sent to patients to identify those with lymphedema.

Results: One hundred nine women were contacted via mail survey to determine the presence of lymphedema. Of the 46 surveys returned, the incidence of lymphedema was 39%. Twenty-seven percent of the ARM group identified themselves as having lymphedema compared with 50% in non-ARM group. Eighteen percent of women in the ARM group needed an arm sleeve for treatment compared with 45.8% in the non-ARM group.

Conclusions: The incidence of perceived lymphedema and the need for arm compression sleeve devices were lower in the ARM cohort. ARM should be adopted to decrease patient perception of lymphedema.

Keywords: Axillary dissection; Breast cancer; Lymphedema; Managing axilla; Reverse lymphatic mapping.